Rap Music and the Poetics of Identity (New Perspectives in Music History and Criticism) [Paperback]

Adam Krims (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521634474 | ISBN-13: 978-0521634472 | Publication Date: April 24, 2000

This is the first book to discuss in detail how rap music is put together musically. Whereas a great deal of popular music scholarship dismisses music analysis as irrelevant or of limited value, the present book argues that it can be crucial to cultural theory. It is unique for bringing together perspectives from music theory, musicology, cultural studies, critical theory, and communications. It is also the first scholarly book to discuss rap music in Holland, and the rap of Cree Natives in Canada, in addition to such mainstream artists as Ice Cube.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...students and scholars who accept the academic importance of the rap idiom (an idealization of rap is already taking place in the works of young composers -- Gregory Walker, for example) will appreciate this contribution to the literature on contemporary music." Choice

Book Description

This is the first book to discuss in detail how rap music is put together musically. Whereas a great deal of popular music scholarship dismisses music analysis as irrelevant or of limited value, the present book argues that it can be crucial to cultural theory. It is unique for bringing together perspectives from music theory, musicology, cultural studies, critical theory, and communications. It is also the first scholarly book to discuss rap music in Holland, and the rap of Cree Natives in Canada.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (April 24, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521634474
• ISBN-13: 978-0521634472
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #569,373 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the price, September 15, 2005

By 

N. Landers - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rap Music and the Poetics of Identity (New Perspectives in Music History and Criticism) (Paperback)

While some of this book was a little too academic for a casual reader like myself, the chapters on rap genres and musical techniques were easily worth the price of the book. Krims says things about rap here that I haven't heard anywhere else, including a musical analysis of different types of rap "flows" and an explanation of the "hip-hop sublime" that can arise from heavily layered music built from samples. He also does in-depth analysis of a few rap songs, including songs by Ice Cube and Goodie Mob, which are quite interesting if you have access to the music. There are many books out there about hip-hop history or culture, and this book touches on those subjects as well, but it's great to see the niche of in-depth musical analysis finally filled. It's given me a new way of understanding and vocabulary for listening to hip hop.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Conquering a Difficult Subject, January 24, 2003

By 

zuma (california) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rap Music and the Poetics of Identity (New Perspectives in Music History and Criticism) (Paperback)

It is said that hip hop scholarship to this point has either come from too academic or too informal a source. This book is accredited by street and university alike. Krims successfully analyses critical aspects of hip-hop, namely songwriting and lyrical style. This is truly great piece of work.

4 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars READ THIS REVIEW AND BUY THE BOOK, ITS BOSS!, December 16, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Rap Music and the Poetics of Identity (New Perspectives in Music History and Criticism) (Paperback)

THIS BOOK IS GREAT FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE RAP,I MOSTLY GET MY INSPIRATION FROM MUSIC ,BUT READING THIS BOOK ON RAP MUSIC INSPIRED ME. I AM A BIG FAN OF THIS BOOK, YOU SHOULD BUY IT.
ITS REALLY INTRESSTING IV WAITED AGES TO FIND A DECENT BOOK ON RAP MUSIC,I ALSO LOVE POETRY, NOT THE KIND YOU DO AT SCHOOL,THATS TO BORING, BUT POETRY BY RAP ARTISTS, LIKE TUPAC, R.I.P, IM HIS BIGGEST FAN, THIS BOOK IS GREAT I RATE IT 5 OUT OF 5!!!SO U WANNA KNOW RAP U GOT RAP!